EXCLUSIVE: Anton Du Beke chokes back tears during onstage tribute to Strictly co-star Len Goodman

The stars voice cracked as he did a slow foxtrot in honour of Len, who had bone cancer and died on Saturday, aged 78

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Showbiz

Tom Bryant Associate Editor (Showbiz)

21:59, 25 Apr 2023Updated 21:59, 25 Apr 2023

[Anton Du Beke with Len Goodman]

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Anton Du Beke with Len Goodman(Image: FilmMagic)

Strictlys Anton Du Beke broke down on stage as he paid tribute to mentor Len Goodman.

The stars voice cracked as he did a slow foxtrot in Lens honour.

Welling up on stage, Anton said: I have been like this all day, a disaster. My old pal, Lord Len Goodman. We love you, Len.

Len, from East London, had bone cancer and died on Saturday, aged 78. He was Strictly Come Dancing s head judge from 2004 to 2016.

Anton, 56, told Mondays crowd at An Evening with Anton Du Beke that Len was among his oldest pals, adding: He is the benchmark for all the judges.

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[Anton has been left devastated by Len's death]

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Anton has been left devastated by Len's death(Image: BBC)

Speaking at the Corn Exchange Theatre in Kings Lynn, Cambs, on tour, he went on: I have always tried to take his advice, which is: Be yourself and say what you see.

Strictly presenter Tess Daly called Goodman a genuine, warm and humble. Co-host Claudia Winkleman said he had been full of twinkle, warmth and wit.

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